Apparatus for making sponge rubber articles



y 11, 1943- G. w. BLAIR ETAL 2,441,235

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 PREFHO AIR mas/Ma's ATTORNEY 11, 1948- G. w. BLAIR ETAL APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mill/K, ED/KMD In llfXU/V/fff 650/766 Mug/$162,477?

Filed 001;. 8, 1941 ATTORNEY y 1 8- G. w. BLAIR ETAL AYPARATUS FOR KING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 m w n m .M MV. NMF E I m w +5 ub 2 A .F. a I L B m [B 8 ATTORNEY May 11, 1948. a. w. BLAIR arm.

APPARATUS FOR KING SPONGE RUBBER ART ICLES Filed Oct. a, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 East II. CLARK lid-611770 M- KEEN F. INV

.50M m Bum" tow a Mull ALEX/J Jam sc/mrr ENTORS ATTQRNEY ICLES ATTORNEY M y 11, 1948- a. w. BLAIR ETAL Y APPARATUS FOR KING SPONGE RUBBER ART H m a m Wm. WM

m R a Wm M 9 M m M HM NH HHW HHL 1 i. V a III m t 0 x TA E .Y 8 7 5 L 7 I d m n y 1948- G. w. BLAIR :rm.

APPARATUS FOR nuns SPONGE RUBBER ART ICLES 14 snetsF-sheez e INVENTORS M070 1/. cumv, lift Jaw fiat/l0 l-llvlllaluI-lllllllllll- Filed Oct. 8, 1941 ATTORNEY y 11, 1948- G. w. BLAIR ETAL 2,441,235

APPARATUS FOR IAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES INVENTORS 650565 1% sum, [on 4w H. cum, mum/.1 aux/m; 41:10 my; .mw f. Jam rr ATTORNEY y G. w. BLAIR EI'AL 2,441,235

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 a /a/, 7m

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ATTORN EY y 1948. G. w. BLAIR ETAL 2,441,235

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES BY Mi-W ATTORNEY May 11, 1948- G. w. BLAIR ETAL APPARATUS FOR IAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet ll ANN mm INVENTORS ED KM'D M614 X/J/KALFM ATTORNEY G. w. BLAIR ETAL APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES May 11, 1948.

Filed 001:. 8., 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 y 11, 1948- G. w. BLAIR ETAL APPARATUS FOR HAKI NG SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Filed OGh. 8, 1941 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 n mu ummm nu Fm Q mm. If EL V r///// //////////W 0 v fi S M 3 3v km A 3 RN: m 4,, 7 1 a m ...v .3 0.J. g 1 w MWMQH \WHILIMMQWWWW .\|/f M N w ..\i\. .1 S N mm u NQRQN kw MQQN Q. SQ E a mm 3. L o L l r 3 R U 3 S 3 ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MAKING SPONGE RUBBER ARTICLES Application October 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,082

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the fabrication of articles from various materials capable of being set by heat, and/or chemicals, into'solid form, and more particularly to the manufacture of sponge rubber from foamed or frothed latex, the primary purpose of the present invention being to provide apparatus for the manufacture of sponge rubber in the form of a continuously advancin sheet of the desired thickness.

An object of the present invention is to effectuate such production of sponge rubber on a large commercial scale; for example to produce automobile cushions of a scale commensurate with the rate of production in the automobile industry, and likewise to effect commercial production of other articles, such as mattresses, for example, and various kinds of rubber foam sheet stock of various thicknesses to be embodied in articles having many uses.

The processing steps involved in the continuous manufacture of a sponge rubber sheet in accordance with the present invention contemplates, generally, the substantially continuous deposit, on a suitable moving surface, of latex foam from a supply thereof, the steps of spreading and setting the latex foam so deposited under suitable confinement on said moving surface to form a substantially continuous sheet rubber stock, under desirably low temperature conditions, the step of feeding said articles, or stock, preferably in a continuous progression automatically to a secondary stage of treatment in the apparatus, and while in motion therethrough performing the steps of vulcanizing the stock and separatin the product into suitable units for accumulation and sale, or for further fabrication into marketable articles. 7

The invention consists also in the combination with a frother constructed and arranged to deliver automatically regulated quantities of latex froth or foam in a substantially continuous manner, of a set of moving surfaces, with confining means designed to receive said supply of foam from the frother and to carry out the foregoing subsequent steps with but little manual intervention.

Ancillary objects of the invention include the provision of a main endless belt as the moving surface to receive and transfer the supply of latex foam; late almet l belts supported adjustably at each side of the main belt and arranged to track with said main belt to confine the foam thereon; a dam around the latex foam deposit zone to confine the lateral flow of the foam preparatory to engagement thereof with the metal belts; and a series of spreading knives readily removable and replaceable for servicing.

Among other objects of the invention is the provision of a battery of churns with automatic weighin devices in combination with control circuits whereby the supply of latex in regulated quantities of predetermined weight to a suitable foaming cell is effected automatically, the churns of said battery being interchangeable to provide for a substantially continuous supply of the latex.

A further object is to provide mechanism for producing in said foaming cell a continuous supply of homogeneous, fine-bubbie-size latex foam, and for delivering the same to a mixer to which a sensitizing medium is added to the latex foam in minute quantities of accurate dosage and in which mixer provision is made of novel stirring and scraping means to accomplish uniform and thorough admixture of the sensitizing ingredient free from any premature setting of any portion of the foam about to be discharged upon the main belt.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for supplying to an elongated oven or enclosure in which the moving belt carries the sheet of foam, a suitable supply of heated air, and novel means by which the current of air, preferably drawn in near one end of the oven, is subjected to a countercurrent within the oven, created by withdrawing from the main current a portion which is blown back along the oven by suitable means for the intended purpose, thereby conserving the heat and enhancing the circulatory effect, while minimizing the bleeding efiect which is characteristic of plenum systems.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with the mechanism above described for pouring, setting and vulcanizing a stream of latex foam, suitable means for stripping the continuous sheet of vulcanized, or partly vulcanized product from the belt at the delivery end of the apparatus, and to provide, in association with the aforesaid apparatus, a system of conveyors, extending under the above described armaratus toward the feed end of the same and then back to the discharge end, where provision is made of means to sever desired portions from the continuous sheet after the same has been thus subjected to a desirable prolongation of the heating and drying treatment.

Further objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings, prograsses.

In the drawings, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation of part of a continuous spreading apparatus in the construction of which the present invention has been embodied;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of an adjoining part of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, being designed to be observed in conjunction with Fig. 1 when assembled along the line A-A of said figures respectively.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a third part to be adjoined with Fi 2 along the line 3-3 of Figs. 2 and 3 respectively;

Fig. 3A is a fragmentary plan view showing part of the conveying means in the drier, and its support;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively views in plan of the apparatus parts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 severally, the respective lines of assembly being designated A-A and BB respectively;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view in transverse vertical section taken on the line of Fig.1;

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8A is a fragmentary detail view in transverse vertical section of a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 taken in vertical section on the line 93 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical transverse section taken on the line Ill-l3 of Fig. 2, upon a larger scale;

Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 10 taken on the line illl of Fig. 2;

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary detail views in vertical section, taken respectively on the lines l2i2 and l3--l3 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a view in front elevation of a scale latex in regulated quantities, the same being shown in plan on a smaller scale at the left hand end of Fig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a view in rear elevation of the scale shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 15A is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of an electrical control device forming part of the scale shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail view in plan of the prefrother unit and the mixing tub associated therewith, these elements receiving the latex, mixing it with air, and eventually delivering it upon the main belt, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, etc.;

Fig. 17 is a detail view in elevation. partly in section, of the foam cell shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the stirring unit shown in Fig. 16, with the stirring means indicated in dash lines;

Fig. 19 is a view in reverse plan 01' the gate shown beneath 'the stirring unit in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a flow sheet illustrating in diagrammatic fashion the system of piping for supplying which forms part of the mechanism for feeding Fig. 21 is a diagram of the electric circuits utilized in effecting automatic and manual control of certain instrumentalities of the machine;

Fig. 22 is a diagram of the principal operating circuits, including motors, switches and other associated parts;

Fig. 22A is a further diagrammatic layout of the churn-controlling circuits;

Fig. 23 is a view in vertical section similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, illustrating the mechanism for cutting of! parts of the final product, and this figure, to be accurately understood, should be observed in connection with Fig. 3, to which it should be adjoined on the line CC, common to both figures;

Fig. 24 is a detail view in plan of the mechanism shown in Fig. 23 for cutting off parts of the final product;

Fig. 25 is a view in longitudinal section, similar to Fig. 23, of a modification of the mechanism shown in Fig. 23.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and considering the embodiment of the invention therein illustrated in its generic aspect, with particular reference to the continuous, semi-automatic production of vulcanized rubber articles from a substantially constant supply of latex foam, the latex component, in the form of a suitable liquid dispersion preferably, is introduced from a suitable source thereof indicated by pipes 26 (Fig. 1) to a battery of churns, 21, 28 and thence is elevated, as by pressure from any suitable source as indicated at 29, through pipes designated generally by the reference character 33. through strainers 3|, if desired, to the inlet side of a foaming or prefrothing cell 32, in which the foamable liquid latex is admixed in suitable fashion with air, which is derived by a pipe 33 from an air washer and heater system which preferably includes a tank 34 containing caustic soda, and a tank 35 containing hot water.

The liquid latex and air, having been first commingled, constitute a relatively coarse foam, which is then brought to fine, homogeneous bubble size in the foaming cell 32 which may be of any suitable construction, a preferred form thereof being described herein more at length, the same following the general construction and arrangement of what is known as the Keen Prefrother, which forms the subject matter of Alexis W. Keen Patents Nos. 2,295,740, issued September 15, 1942, and 2,335,339, issued November 30, 1943.

To this ilne-bubble-size foam, delivered at a constant rate through a spout 36, suitable sensitizing ingredients may be added, as in a mixing tank 31, from which the foam is delivered, as at 38, into the range of action of the spreading apparatus proper, descending upon an upwardly inclined portion 39 of a moving surface which, in the instance illustrated, takes the form of a main endless belt B, that runs over pulley 33' to a driving pulley 40 (Fig. 3) at the other end of the run of the belt, from which the return portion 42 is carried back on idler pulleys 43, then around a by systems of driving and direction pulleys II, BI, 82 and 68 (Figs. 4 and 5). the pulleys II have driving means, designated generally by the reference characters 55, and the pulleys can be adjusted to vary the width of the strip of foam s 52, the latter running lengthwise of the apparatus from a reduction gear box 63, driven by a I chain 64 from the main driving motor 66. The

gear box 63 is also connected by a shaft 68, gear box 81 and chain 68 to drive a sprocket wheel 69 on the main shaft of the roll 40 which actuates the feed belt B, and thus the drive of the belt 86 and deckle belts 48, 49 are synchronized.

The speed of the motor 65 is controlled normally at a suitable speed control box or the like R at the main switchboard (see Fig. 22) and, when the speed is thus changed, corresponding changes in the speed of operation of the above instrumentalities are efiected together with the speed of other instrumentalities, designed to be operated in predetermined time relation, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

The roll shown at 'II in Figs. 3 and 6 at the output end of the machine is a stripper roll, over which the advancing partially vulcanized mat 12 of sponge rubber is elevated, away from the belt 13, and is then led back upon the belt as it passes through the bite of roll 40 and an idler pressure roll 13 (see Fig. 3).

Suitable means are provided to control the thickness of the spread of latex foam as it passes from the pool 45, and as an improved construction for this purpose, the drawing illustrates spreading devices I4, I5 (Fig. l), which will hereinafter be designated knives for the sake of brevity, without technical limitation, the term being so understood by those skilled in the art.

These knives appear in Fig. 1 in vertical section, and one of them is illustrated in more detail in front elevation in Fig. 8, where the knife I4 is shown as having slidably adjustable wing sections 9| secured adjustably to the middle section I4 by bolts 92 extending through horizontal slots 88 therein, the mid section and wing sections having also top flanges 94 and 95 which serve to maintain them in alignment. To each of the top flanges 95 is welded a plate 96 to which in turn is welded an angle piece 91, and this part of the wing structure rests upon a frame part 98 to which it can be secured by a bolt 99.

Fig. 7 shows both the frame parts 98 as mounted upon the cross-head structure which serves to determine the width of the space be tween the deckle belts 48-49 and therefore the breadth of the latex stream M, and thus the width of the knives is regulated automatically in correspondence with the breadth of the latex foam sheet.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8A, the knife I" is shown as having slidably adjustable wing 6 lower edge 88 above the belt at the region of their operative contact with the mat of foam to be spread.

The knives can be removed readily and replaced, when they need to be cleaned, by loosening the'bolts 18, and the set of knives can be raised and lowered bodily by turning a crank 83 at the front side of the machine, thus rotating a cross-shaft 84 having bearings 85 in the frame uprights". to rotate bevel gears 81 at each side of the machine, and thereby actuate other bevel ears on vertical shafts 88 by which the leadscrews 89, engaged with suitably threaded blocks 89 on the cross-head 11, cause the latter to be raised or lowered bodily, with its set of knives.

Provision is desirably made of corner plates I88, secured to each of the wing sections I16, as by bolts I82 in vertical slots I8I, the purpose of these plates being to scrape the upper outer margins of the sheet of foam M before it has set. and thus to obviate the tendency normally exhibited by the margins in such a stream of foam to creep above the general level of the stream of foam.

- In Fig. 7 is illustrated in transverse sectional elevation a preferred form of means for effecting the adjustment of the idler pulleys 52 to vary the spacing between the deckle belts 48, 49, and between the wings 46a of the dam which are carried by the rails 88.

Each of the idlers 52 is shown as journalled on an upright shaft I55 carried by a slide 54', on which is also mounted one of the rails 98. Through a threaded block I56 on each of the slides 54' is extended a lead screw I51 having right and left threaded portions working in the blocks. Each lead screw has an unthreaded portion I58 running freely through an abutment I59 mounted on the cross-head I60, and provided with collars I8I which are fixed relatively to the lead screws.

Upon applying a suitable tool to either of the square ends I62 of the lead-screw and rotating the same, the slides 54' and their associated parts are caused to approach or recede from each other at will, thus effecting the desired adjustments of the deckle belts, etc. relatively to the working length B of the main endless belt.

We have also made provision for holding the main belt B and deckle belts 48 and 49 up to their work at one or more positions along the length of the path of the sheet of foam under treatment, and a now-preferred form of attachbelt occurs for any reason, and at such times said sections I16 depending from a bracket I6 secured to a cross-head 11 by bolts 18. Each knife comprises a central portion I14 secured by bolts 82 to the bracket 16, and the knife is horizontally slotted at 8| to receive clamping bolts 82 carried by the slidable end pieces I16 which also con-- edges press laterally against rollers I66, mounted on brackets I61 depending from the rod I63, to which the brackets are pinned, the rollers I66 acting at all times as guides.

The rod I88 acts also to support sliding brackets I" each of which is provided with one of the smooth faced guide rollers I68 mounted to rotate freely on a short vertical shaft carried by the bracket, and one of the grooved guide rollers I69 mounted to rotate freely on a horizontal stud thereon.

Each bracket III has an upright yoke formation I10 which forks a threaded portion I12 of the lead screw I62a, the fork provides a space in which one of the two nuts I10 is mounted so that it cannot rotate with the lead screw but has a slight movement with the lead screw I62a when the latter is caused to move endwise, as for example from the full line position of the hand wheel I41 at the right-hand end of Fig. 9, to the dot and dash position thereof, such end-shake being caused by lateral movements of the belt B which carries with it the deckle belts 48, 49 and their associated parts.

By turning the hand wheel manually, the brackets Ill and their associated parts may be caused to approach to each other, and to recede, at will, in conformity with adjustive movements induced by the crank 83 in Fig. 8, as already described.

Upon reference to Fig. 13, it will be seen that each of the brackets I1I is provided with two of the smooth-faced cylindrical guide-rollers I58, spaced apart from each other and thus aiding to avoid wavy movements of the deckle belts 48 and 49.

The return portions I48 and I49, of the deckle belts respectively are guided by grooved rollers I15 suitably journalled in brackets I18, and are held against waving, by the forks I19, which also limit undue tendency of the said return portions to rise.

This mechanism is enclosed by the oven I00.

As the sheet M of latex foam is advanced by the main and deckle belts, it is subjected to heat treatment of the desired character, as within an oven I00, into which the heated air is introduced through distributor ducts IOI having outlet ports I02, through which, as indicated by downward extending arrows I03, the duct supplies to the oven I air which derives its heat from a suitable source thereof I04 disposed in a heater I05, the heat being supplied in the instance illustrated. by a system of steam pipes I06. (See Fig. 5.)

The heated air forced into the oven I00 through the outlet ports I02 maintains therein a plenum, and flows along the oven with the sheet M, effecting thereon a setting action which results in imparting to the sheet a set condition which permits withdrawal from the sheet of the support derived from the deckle belts, and the latter accordingly are turned back around the pulleys 50 in the vicinity of the heater I05, as already described.

The heated air is recirculated by means of a blower I01, operated by a motor I08 in the manner indicated in Fig. 5, the heater unit having an intake at I09 and a delivery port at IIO. Such systems are well-known to those skilled in the art, and further description is not deemed necessary. The heater unit shown at III may desirably be a replica of that designated I05, and similar parts are correspondingly lettered.

We have found that in the operation of a circulatory system for the intended purpose, where replacement of a certain amount of air at the output end of the machine is requisite to maintain the system effective, there is a tendency to create a draft of too great velocity and volume back in a direction contrary to the line of progress of the sheet M, lowering its temperature and interfering otherwise with regularity of the heat treatment.

In order to obviate this effect, we have provided a novel expedient for setting up a countercurrent of air, as indicated by the arrows H2 in Fig. 2, in order to counteract the inward flow. This we accomplish by drawing in a certain amount of air at II3, see Fig. 5, by means of a fan driven by the motor III, the air being taken from the oven through a port II, and being returned thereto through a port H0, in'reverse direction, thus accomplishing the desired effect without reducin the temperature of the air within the oven I00.

At the delivery end of the oven I00, provision is made, according to the invention, for a. further drying treatment of the sheet M, preliminary to its severance into parts of desired size, and such treatment may vary considerably in character.

In Figs. 2, 3, 3A, 11 and 23 we have shown one structure by which the treatment of the sheet M may be prolonged in the desired manner, the space below the return sheet of the main belt B being utilized for this purpose as follows:

At 200 is provided a drying enclosure, divided by a substantially horizontal partition "I into an upper compartment 202 and a lower compartment 203, heated air being blown into the lower compartment 203 and being exhausted from the upper compartment 202, by means of a blower 204 and an exhaust fan 205 (see Fig. 3) the heating being effected at 206. A certain amount of moist air is diverted at 201 and discharged from the system, and increments of fresh air are drawn in at 208 and added to the used air received by blower 204 from exhaust 205 through the coupling duct 209. Regulating dampers are provided at the points indicated at 2 I0 and 2 to enable the ratio of fresh air to used air to be controlled.

An endless inbound conveyor belt 2I2 is provided in the upper compartment, and an outbound endless conveyor belt 2 I 2 in the lower compartment.

These conveyor belts are preferably of the woven wire type illustrated at 2 in Fig. 3A, and are driven by rolls 2I5, 2I6, the former of which is actuated by a chain 2I1 running from a sprocket wheel 2I8 on the shaft on which the main drive pulley for the belt B is mounted, thus synchronizing the belts. The conveyors 2I2, 2I2 are preferably run at the same speed as the primary conveyor B, and to provide for the proper direction of movement as between conveyors 2I2 and 2I3, gearing is shown at 2I9-220, a chain 22I driving the gear 2I9, while a similar chain 222 runs from a sprocket wheel 223 on the shaft of gear 220 to a sprocket wheel 224 on the shaft of roll 2I6.

It is to be noted that the currents of heated air proceed at all times in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet M is being fed, according to approved practice in this art.

The sheet M is led through an opening 230 to the upper run 2I2 of the conveyor in the upper compartment 202 of the drying enclosure, and is carried on said conveyor to the other end of the enclosure, passes thereover idler pulleys 225 and 226, and is laid on the upper run 221 of conveyor 2I3, by which it is carried back to the rear end of the apparatus and discharged through an opening 228 in the end wall 220 thereof for further disposition.

The drying enclosure 200 may be of any suitable length, and in the instance illustrated extends to a region under the heater I05, a distance of say feet, thus nearly doubling the length of treatment in the apparatus.

Supporting idlers 23I are provided where needed, and the outbound end of the sheet M may be received on a suitable conveyor 232 exterior to the dryer and carried to a point 234 as shown in Fig. 23. This external conveyor 232 is actuated by a chain 230 running between sprocket wheels 230 and 201 on the shafts of rolls 200 and 289. The last-named is driven by another sprocket wheel and chain running from a source of power (not shown) but timed in synchronism with the instrumentalities already described. Running between the roll 239 and a pulley 248 spaced at a suitable distance therefrom is an endless conveyor belt 24! constructed and arranged to receive the parts MM severed from the sheet M in any suitable manner, as by the severing mechanism now to be described.

The sheet M is led under a guide idler 242 and upward over a drive guide 243 and thence traverses in a downward direction a vertical throat 244 by which the sheet is held straight. As it passes through the throat, the sheet M is severed by a high-speed cutter disc 245 working in a horizontal slot 246 of the throat. To rotate the cutter disc, it is fixed upon the vertical shaft of an electric motor 241 supported by an arm 248 having a dovetailed end fitted in a similarly shaped guideway 249 extending across the frame 258 parallel with the breadth of the throat 244.

The cutter head is moved bodily from side to side of the frame 256 by means of an endless chain 25I which runs around an idler pulley 252 at the off side of the frame (see Fig. 24) and runs around a sprocket wheel 253 fixed upon a shaft 254 extending in bearings 255 rearward to the point illustrated at 256, where it has a sprocket wheel 251 engaged by a chain 258 that runs to a sprocket wheel 259 upon a shaft 269 from a reduction gear box 26I, the gears in which are driven by a reversible synchronous motor 262, connected by conductors running to a suitable switch 263. By means of limit switches 264 f known type and usual operation, the direction of the current in the windings (not shown) of motor 262 is changed whenever a part of the cutter head is engaged with one of the limit switches 264, so that the cutter-head is constantly making the required travel to and fro, severing a part MM of the sheet M at each such traverse.

Preferably, the throat has a fixed jaw 265 and a movable jaw 266 between which the sheet M is clamped while it is being cut, the latter being provided at each of its ends with a slide 261 having wheels 216 running on the tracks 21!. The movable jaw 266 is operated by a cam 461, carried by the arm 248.

As the circular knife 245 moves from one side of the frame 215, the earn 461 is brought into engagement with one of the oppositely disposed vertical rollers 468 which move the jaw 266 away from the sheet M.

These rollers are carried on T-shaped elements 469 pivoted at 469 on opposite sides of the slide 261 and are connected together by cross-rods 410 to give reverse movements of the movable jaw. The shock accompanying rearward movement of the slides on carriages 261 is taken up at each side by plungers 268 having collars 269 fixed on the plungers and adapted to engage coil springs 214, interposed between the collars and the frame member 215.

When the movable jaw 266 is retracted, the severed piece MM occupying an upright position in Fig. 23 is free to leave the throat readily and descend upon the conveyor for inspection and further disposition.

The throat is then ready to have a. fresh length of the sheet M fed thereinto by the roll 243 which is driven by a sprocket chain 211 connected to operate in timed relation with the other instrumentalities of the apparatus.

In lace of a severing mechanism, such as that illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24, just described, there may be substituted mechanism, such as that shown in Fig. 25, designed to facilitate inspection and accumulation of the sheet material after it leaves the drier.

In the mechanism of Fig. 25, an endless belt conveyor 218, running over a roll 219, delivers a sheet TM of the treated material between the belt 218 and a pressure roll 216, over guide rolls 288 and 28I to a known form of accumulating device 282 comprising an idler roll 283 and a driven roll 284, between which rests the growing roll 285 of stock TM, which may be wound on a spindle 286 to any convenient dimensions. The ends of the spindle 286 are engaged loosely with a pair of upright guides 281 which resist the pull of the stock tending to unseat the stock roll 285 as it increases in diameter.

The driven roll 284 is actuated by a system of chains 288, 289, and 298 running from a sprocket wheel 29l on the shaft 292 of the conveyor chain pulley 219. A gravity-biased idler 293 takes up slack in the chain 289. For purposes of ready inspection, provision is made of a light-box 294 ntted with a glass plate 295 through which light is transmitted to the under side of the sheet TM as it passes thereover.

The part of the frame carrying the stock roll 285 and its associated parts is mounted on casters 296 and is readily detachable from the rest of the frame, for which purpose the bars 298 are shown as taking the form of latches.

With such provision it is feasible to remove one roll of stock with its carriage, and substitute another carriage ready to receive another roll of stock at will.

Having given above an outline of the nature and operation of the several instrumentalities which make up the apparatus of the present invention, with especial reference to their combinative relationship, a more detailed description will now be given-of certain of these instrumentalities, and the following is a description of the construction and operation of the mechanism which mixes the compounding ingredients into the latex and controls its feeding automatically to the belt of the spreader. As already indicated, provision is made of a battery of churns 21, 28, but at first we will consider one churn only, since the two are identical in their operation and are used interchangeably, being connected in multiple to the feed pipe 30 which supplies the prefrother. While one churn is being used, the other may be reloaded. As shown in Fig. 4, each churn is mounted on a weighing mechanism or scale of leverty e, the scales being designated respectively S and SS, and the scale S being shown separately in Figs. 14 and 15. Each scale is provided with two beams, viz., a double beam I11 and a threaded beam I82, carried by a lever extending into the standard of the scale. The interior mechanism is of conventional character, unless otherwise described. A motor I8l' rotates the threaded beam I82. A tare rider I is moved along the threaded beam I82 by rotation of the latter.

In setting up the churn for a run of latex, the procedure is as follows:

1. Push the motor-driven tare rider I80 from its position as seen in Fig. 14, to zero point on the threaded beam. This can be done after releasing the catch I83 on the rider.

2. Put in the latex through the supply pipe 26, say 700 lbs., for example. Weigh this in on the lower tare beam I84 of the double beam I11. This is an ordinary weighing operation.

3. Pour in, say 100 lbs. of compounding materials, through opening I85 at top of churn, at which time the pointer I86 will indicate 100 on the dial I81.

4. Set up 100 lbs. more on the scale I84 to bring the pointer I86 back to zero on its dial I81. (Final adjustment is made later.)

5. Close plate I88 on the opening I85 to seal the churn.

6. Weights 189 are added to tare beam rider I88 to predetermine the rate of flow of latex in lbs. per hour at the prefrother 32. The rider I88 takes up to 60 minutes to travel along the threaded beam I82, and its function is to compensate for the diminution in weight of the latex as consumed, by moving further out along the beam as the latex is forced from the churn by air pressure, at the predetermined rate of flow.

1. Air from the air line 29 is forced into the churn pipe I9I, under 6 to 8 lbs. pressure through the pressure control valve I98. Valve I98X is a bleeding valve to be described, Pressure gages I93 are provided to indicate the air pressure.

8. The top beam weight I95 is next set to bring the pointer I86 close to the zero point on its dial I81.

A by-pass pipe 29A (Fig. 1) is provided through which the air may be applied to raise, in the system, latex from the churn in use initially prior to switching over to the solenoid valves I98 and [981! which thereafter control automatically the introduction and exit of air.

It is now to be noted that as long as the rate of consumption of latex from the churn corresponds to the rate of travel of the tare-rider I88 on the threaded beam I82, the pointer I86 will not change its position. As shown in Fig. 15, attached to the arbor of the pointer I86 is an arm I98 which moves with the pointer, and if there is any discrepancy between the rate of movement of the tare-rider I88 (which movement is constant) and the withdrawal of latex, which may vary, the pointer I88 and the arm I96 will be simultaneously displaced, and such displacement will be indicated by the angular position on the dial then assumed by the pointer, either to the right or to the left of the zero point.

At the same time the arm I96 will be displaced to the right or to the left of its Fig. 15 position, and these arm movements are used to complete electrical control circuits in which the arm I86 is included as a contact-making member, being grounded to the frame of the scale, these circuits being provided for the purpose of controlling th solenoid valves I98 and I98X, to admit air to the churn or to release it therefrom. Cooperating contact terminals are provided at I91 and I98 on a yoke I99, the contact terminals taking the form of screws with milled heads which can be adjusted manually, and are insulated from each other by the material of the yoke, which is preferably made of an insulating substance. One of the contact terminals I91 is included in a control circuit which is closed by contact of the arm I96 with the screw I91, and the control circuit which includes contact terminal I98 is closed by contact of the arm I96 with the screw I98. These circuits will be described in due course.

As shown in Fig. 15A, the yoke I99 is secured to an armature 299 of an electro-magnet 388 mounted on an angular metallic bracket 38I which in turn is carried by a base-piece 382 of insulating material aflixed to a suitable part 388 of th scale structure.

The armature is pivoted at 384 to the bracket,

in such fashion that the yoke I99 is gravity-biased to a position indicated by dash-dot lines in Fig. 15A, at which position the contact terminals I91 and I98 rest out of the range of movement of the arm I98, and the control circuits remain open and inoperative. This permits the arm I96 to swing about its pivot without interference at the time of weighing in the latex and compounding ingredients. Th yoke is moved to its full-line operative position by the passage through the magnet 888 of an activating current through conductors 385, 386 leading from a circuit to be described.

9. The churn operator will now bring arm I to mid-point between the two contacts I91 and I98 by the use of the jog button 381 (see Fig. 21). This button operates a switch 388 for momentarily closing the circuit to the synchronous motor I8I' and the motor rotates lead-screw I82 to move the rider I88 toward alimit switch 389, by a jogging movement which is used for more accurately adjusting the position of the arm I98 with respect to the contacts I91 and I98. These jogs move the arm I96 only a very little at a time and enable the churn man to make the adjustment more easily and accurately.

10. At this point the churn man signals to another operator who in turn presses starting button 8I8 (see Fig. 21), which closes the circuit of magnet 388 and swings the yoke I99 and its contact terminals I91 and I98 into place to be in position for contact by the end of the arm I96. This also results in turning on a green light 3 (see Fig. 21). showing that the set up of th churn is complete for this run of latex to the prefrother.

To regulate the flow of the latex within accurate limits, the air pressure is applied to or re leased from the interior of the churn respectively through the agency of the electrically operated solenoid air valves I98 and I98X (see Fig. 1).

In the event that the flow of latex is too slow, the arm I88 will contact the point I91 causing air valve I98 to be actuated, and allowing the compressed air to be exerted against the top of the latex in the churn. (The feed pipe 38 to the prefrother is connected to the bottom of the churn.) The result of this application of air is an increased flow of latex through the feed pipe.

If this pressure builds up too high, causing too rapid flow of latex to the feedpipe, the arm I96 will contact the point I98, actuating valve I98X, thus releasing air from the churn and reducing the flow of latex. The variation in pressure within the churn is approximately between 5% and 6 /4 lbs, In other words, it is regulated between these limits and keeps the latex in constant flow and at a substantially uniform weight rate of flow.

In order to regulate the churns for foams of different densities, and heavier or lighter compounding, and also to smooth out the operations of the air valves I98 and I98X there is provided a set of three timers, designated by the numerals 3H, 8I5 and 8I6 in Fig. 21. This set includes timer 3 which controls the period of time between air applied operations; timer 3I5 which determines the period of time during which air is applied, and timer 3I6 which sets the length of time required to run a particular batch of foam from the churn to the Drefrother. These timers operate a series of relays 3|1-322 which receive alternating current under the control of a contact amplifier 323 adapted to keep to a minimum the sparking at the contact points in the control apparatus. A satisfactory amplifier for the above 

